标签： Asia

A catastrophic fire that engulfed a public housing complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district has resulted in at least 75 fatalities, with approximately 300 residents still unaccounted for, marking the territory’s deadliest blaze in six decades. The tragedy unfolded on Wednesday afternoon when flames rapidly consumed seven of eight tower blocks at Wang Fuk Court, a subsidized housing estate built in 1983.

The devastation has exposed critical safety failures, including the absence of functioning fire alarms and the use of highly flammable materials during recent renovations. Authorities have arrested three construction executives for “gross negligence” after discovering substandard plastic sheeting and polystyrene insulation on scaffolding that accelerated the fire’s spread.

Personal accounts reveal harrowing escapes and unbearable losses. Forty-five-year-old Mr. Chung received a final desperate call from his wife trapped in their 23rd-floor apartment with their cat. “Hang in there,” were his last words to her before communications ceased. After 24 hours of waiting, he now believes she perished in the smoke-filled flat.

The disaster disproportionately affected elderly residents, who comprise nearly 40% of the complex’s population. Many were physically unable to evacuate quickly through thick, toxic smoke that filled corridors within minutes. Seventy-two-year-old Grandma Chan escaped only after receiving an urgent call from her daughter abroad, while 82-year-old Grandma Wu abandoned her mahjong game when alerted by family calls rather than building alarms.

The Hong Kong government has announced immediate relief measures, including HK$10,000 payments to displaced families and a HK$300 million assistance fund. However, for survivors like Kyle Ho, who invested his family’s savings into their apartment, the future remains uncertain despite gratitude for their survival.

As firefighters continue their search operations, insisting they “haven’t given up” on finding survivors, the community mourns and demands accountability for one of Hong Kong’s most devastating urban disasters.

A devastating fire that engulfed a residential complex in Hong Kong has claimed the lives of 55 people, with the death toll expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue. The Fire Services Department (FSD) confirmed the grim update during a press briefing on Thursday, revealing that 72 individuals, including eight firefighters, sustained injuries and were rushed to hospitals. Over 200 residents remain unaccounted for, heightening fears of further casualties. The blaze, which broke out on Wednesday afternoon, ravaged Wang Fuk Court, a residential area comprising eight buildings undergoing major renovations. The structures were shrouded in green mesh and scaffolding, which authorities suspect contributed to the rapid spread of flames due to flammable materials. Three men overseeing the renovation project have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. The FSD deployed 304 fire engines and rescue vehicles, utilizing drones to monitor heat levels and prevent rekindling. While flames have been extinguished in four buildings, three others remain partially ablaze. The incident has sparked widespread grief and calls for accountability, with President Xi Jinping extending condolences and urging all-out efforts to minimize losses.

A catastrophic fire has ravaged through multiple residential high-rises in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, resulting in at least 65 fatalities and leaving hundreds unaccounted for in the city’s deadliest blaze in over seven decades. The tragedy struck Wang Fuk Court, a subsidized housing complex housing approximately 4,600 residents, with nearly 40% being elderly citizens.

The inferno, which ignited at 14:51 local time on Wednesday, rapidly engulfed seven of the complex’s eight tower blocks, propelled by flammable construction materials including mesh coverings, plastic sheets, and polystyrene installed during ongoing renovations. Hong Kong authorities have arrested three construction company executives on suspicion of manslaughter and gross negligence, while police investigations suggest these external materials significantly accelerated the fire’s spread.

Firefighting efforts faced extreme challenges due to intense heat, collapsing scaffolding, and hazardous debris. The blaze reached level five severity—Hong Kong’s highest emergency classification—before being brought under control. Tragically, 37-year-old firefighter Ho Wai-ho lost his life during rescue operations, with ten additional firefighters sustaining injuries. Thus far, 55 individuals have been successfully rescued.

Public outrage has mounted across Hong Kong as residents reveal critical safety oversights, including disabled fire alarms and construction workers improperly using fire escapes. Historical complaints regarding renovation safety standards and material compliance have resurfaced, prompting the Independent Commission Against Corruption to initiate criminal investigations into the renovation works.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee has pledged comprehensive inspections of all major housing renovations, with particular focus on scaffolding safety and building materials. The government is considering replacing traditional bamboo scaffolding with metal frameworks. Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed official condolences and emphasized maximizing rescue efforts while minimizing casualties.

The Wang Fuk Court complex, constructed in 1983, represents one of Hong Kong’s many aging high-density residential structures facing maintenance challenges. This tragedy has sparked urgent discussions about construction safety protocols and regulatory enforcement in one of the world’s most vertically populated cities.

A unique cliffside bookstore nestled within a 326-meter-deep sinkhole in Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has captured global attention for its breathtaking setting and innovative approach to the reading experience. Located in the Mianhua Tiankeng Scenic Area, the bookstore opened its doors in May and has since become a must-visit landmark. At night, the space transforms into a luminous ‘knowledge canyon,’ with over 10,000 books arranged along the cliff walls, illuminated by strategically placed lights. Reaching this literary haven requires visitors to navigate more than 1,000 plank-road steps, adding an element of adventure to the journey. The bookstore’s dramatic location and immersive atmosphere have made it a viral sensation, redefining how people engage with literature and nature.